Closure for hypodermic solution containers



Feb. 2, 1960 F. S. KLOPFENSTEIN CLOSURE FOR HYPODERMIC SOLUTION CONTAINERS Filed May 4, 1956 United States PatentfO 1- cLosURE FOR HYPoDERNnc soLUrr Nl CONTAINERS Florence Stoianoif Klopfenstein, Reseda, Calif.

Application May 4, 1956, Serial No. 582,768

7 Claims. (Cl. 21S-37) This invention relates to an improved closure for hypodermic solution containers.

There are many types of hypodermic solutions, many of which are extremely expensive and when any significant amount is left in a container not only is this extremely wasteful but also a complete loss lnancially.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a closure wherein it is possible to extract the last drop of solution from such a container.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide means wherein procurement of the last drop of such solution is readily and easily removed.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide such a closure which will not interfere with the etciency of the sealing functions of the closure.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a hypodermic solution container with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation partially in section.

Figure 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the closure.

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view.

Figure 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 showing insertion of the hypodermic needle.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing drainage of the container.

A vial 10 is formed of glass or other suitable material to contain the hypodermic solution and has a somewhat reduced neck 12 having an annular ange 14 at its upper extremity. The sealing of the vial is accomplished by a stopper 16 formed from a suitable grade of soft rubber or other suitable material.

The stopper has a lower cylindrical 'portion 18 which snugly ts within the mouth and neck of the vial and an upper portion 19 having a diameter equal to that of the ange 14 on the vial. The upper portion 19 of the stopper is compressed into sealing engagement with the upper extremity of the vial by means of a permanently applied cup 20 the lower edge of which is crimped around and below the shoulder 22 formed at the junction of the ange 14 and neck 12 of the vial.

It is preferred that the diameter of the lower cylindrical portion of the stopper 16 have a diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of neck 12 so that same will be under slight compression to form a better seal.

The outer edge of the cylindrical portion 18 is beveled as at 24 to permit the solution to flow around the edge freely. A spherical depression 26 is formed on the under side of the cylindrical portion and a slot 28 is cut through the wall of the cylindrical portion to the base of the upper portion 19 so that all of the solution may flow directly into the spherical depression 26, either directly or through slot 28.

2,923,427 n 1 Alfaterrlted Febr `2,1960

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- A window Sois eentrallylocated in cup-20 so that the needle 32 of the hypodermic vmay be forced through the stopper 16 and thesolution drawn from the vial. K

` Itis readily apparent that as the iluid is withdrawn the last drops thereof willowthrough slot 28 into 4the conical depression 26. To facilitate the removal of the last drops of the solution, the slot 28 is extended into the upper portion 19 of the stopper as at 34 and below the lowest point of spherical depression 26 and inclines upwardly toward the other side of spherical depression 26. Fluid thus llows downwardly along the inclined path 36 to the low point 34.

As seen in Figure 9 the needle 32 may be forced through the stopper with its tip in the low point 34 and all of the solution removed. To indicate the proper point for the needle to puncture the stopper an arrow 38 is provided on the reverse side of upper portion 19 of the stopper which is visible through window 30. When the needle is forced through the tip of arrow 38 it will enter the low point 34.

While what hereinbefore has been described is the Y preferred embodiment of this invention, it is readily apparent that alterations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention and such alterations and modifications are intended to be included in the appended claims.

I claim:

y 1. A puncturable stopper for a pharmaceutical vial of the class described comprising: an upper portion, a reduced lower portion joined to said upper portion insertable into a vial, said lower portion having a depression formed therein, and a slot through the wall of said lower portion surrounding said depression, the innermost point of said slot being deeper into said lower portion than the innermost point of said depression.

2. A puncturable stopper for a pharmaceutical vial of the class described comprising: an upper portion, a reduced lower portion joined to said upper portion insertable into a vial, said lower portion having a depression formed therein, and a slot through the wall of said lower portion surrounding said depression, the innermost point of Said slot being deeper into said lower portion than the innermost point of said depression, and an indicia on the opposite side of said upper portion from said lower portion indicating the location of said depression.

3. A puncturable stopper for a pharmaceutical vial of the class described comprising: an upper portion, a lower portion depending from said upper portion, a slot having an inclined Section in the exposed face of said lower portion and extending through said lower portion communicating said slot with the exterior of said lower portion.

4. A puncturable stopper for a pharmaceutical vial of the class described comprising: a stopper insertable into a vial, a slot having an inclined section in the face of said stopper and extending through said portion communicating said slot with the exterior of said stopper.

5. A puncturable stopper for a pharmaceutical vial of the class described comprising: a stopper insertable into a vial, a slot having an inclined section in the face of said stopper and extending through said portion communicating said slot with the exterior of said stopper, and an indicia on said stopper indicating the low point of said slot.

6. A puncturable stopper for a pharmaceutical vial of the class described comprising: a stopper having a lower portion insertable into a vial, a depression formed in said lower portion, a slot having an inclined section in said lower portion communicating with and a part thereof extending below said depression and communicating said depression with the exterior of said stopper adjacent said vial.

thelass described comprising:..,astopper.havingvalowerf.. 1 Y i V 1.

portion insertable into a via1 a depression formed in said UNITED STATES PATENTS lower portion, a slot having anrinclined section in said 441,993 WardY Dec. 2, 1890 lowergportionscominlmicatihgWvithfand-Sapartfmeeofx- 6 588,784 Steenss. Aug. 24, 1897 tending` belowsaidzfdepressonrand communicating said K 1,116,663 Woodrui Nov. ,10, 1914 depression with `,the exterior dfasaidfstopperldjacentfsaid V2,340,419 Nawoj et 3,1. Feb. 1, 1944 vialfandanfindiciaon sdstopperfoutside saii:vialindi-V 2,601,091 Butler et "a1, 1-..--; June 17, 1952 cating=thef1owst pdintofsaidslt. Y Y 2,717,7281A Gxayf-..f..--.1,- ....f.- ;.:Spt.;13,1955 

